Loons, Terns and Eagles!

Every spring the Saint Lawrence River explodes with life. This year, for some unknown reason, my attention and camera focused on loons, terns, and eagles.
Loons will never cease to hold my interest, sometimes they seem to model for me. On lucky days they will pop up from below near the boat and float around as if to say: “How’s this angle? Would you like more water droplets?” I enjoy deluding myself with these thoughts, as I search for new perspectives.

The Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation and TILT (Thousand Islands Land Trust), work in conjunction each year to conduct a loon survey. The program helps to better understand and preserve the existing loon population. I was out with my camera and binoculars at the designated time and place – no loons in sight . . . but I did see an eagle.

One morning, between Grenell and Murray Islands, I saw two loons engaged in a high-speed chase. The wings worked like oars propelling the birds over the water as they raced up and down between the islands. The chase went on for a few minutes and must have required an enormous amount of energy. Most likely this was a fight for territory that can often happen during the breeding season.

Terns are arial acrobats that provide great entertainment as they swoop and dive for food. They have an erratic flight path, fly and dive at high speeds, and when diving only spend a second in the water. Making terns very challenging to photograph.

Ken Nims from TILT, explained how TILT and Save The River have partnered to help protect tern habitat. On several TILT properties, Save The River has set up grids that keep out predators, such as gulls and owls. The grids have openings too small for larger birds but large enough for the terns to navigate and nest.

Other than nesting areas, which should be avoided, eagles can be seen with a certain amount of predictability. In our area they often fly over Murray Island between 7:30 and 8:30 am, but where they decide to perch is not as predictable. When I see one in a tree or flying low it is always exciting, even more so if I’m fast enough to capture a sharp image. The juvenile eagle below was very calm and confident as I inched closer. At one point it appeared to wave hello, but was probably just trying to fend off a swarm of flies.

Most mornings provide a photo opportunity of some sort, but as the summer progresses capturing interesting photos of waterfowl becomes an elusive endeavor. Where do all those birds go? And why do those terns fly so fast? When frustration sneaks in, I try to remember – relax and enjoy the process of being out early on the River . . . and that is memorable even without a camera!

By Larry Asam

Larry Asam spent winters in Stowe, VT, and then several years in Snowbird, UT, in his first career as a ski instructor. Then, in the 1990s he started taking photographs at weddings. Soon couples from around New England discovered his ability to catch the excitement and beauty of their wedding in photographs. By 1997, wedding photography became his full-time occupation, and this continued for almost 15 years. One look at his website www.RiverGloss.com and you’ll see how he is able to capture memories that last a lifetime. For the last ten years, Larry and his wife Kym have been part of the Grenell Island community. Be sure to see Larry's other TI Life articles here.

Posted in: Volume 19, Issue 8, August 2024, Nature, Photography